Kidsfirst has always encouraged a hands-on approach to learning, but when kindergartens like Hei Hei were first setting up, that concept had a whole new meaning for teachers and parents alike.

Carol Eggleston who taught in the 1950s, remembers being taught in teacher training, to make toys and equipment for the kindergarten.

“We needed to have practical experience and also we made things. In our training, we made puzzles, posting boxes and wall posters, because none of this was commercially available.” 

Woodwork was a standard part of teacher training back then, but even with the teachers’ creative endeavours, crafty fathers were often called on to help boost the kindergarten’s toy box. 

Below is an excerpt from the 1956 Kindergarten Handbook, which emphasised how important home-made toys and father help was in creating the tools and toys that was used in kindergartens in the past. 

“Home-made toys (big carts, strong boxes on strong axles and wheels, trucks etc. for two or three children to play in, several dolls’ beds etc) are strongly advised and could be made by a capable local tradesman or by interested fathers. This method of obtaining toys is strongly advocated by the Free Kindergarten Union to save expense and to provide variety, individuality and stimulation among Kindergartens.” – Kindergarten Handbook, 1956